NEW ORLEANS—The matchup between the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII (6:30 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS) figures to be a most physical affair. For the offenses to break through against tough defenses, they will need to use size and strength to combat speed and quickness:

Ravens running game vs. 49ers run defense

Super Bowl 2013: Aldon Smith and the 49ers defense has the ability to dominate, but the Ravens are solid across their offensive line. (AP Photo)

Baltimore has found its stride with a reshuffled offensive line. The Ravens will look to use left tackle Bryant McKinnie (6-8, 354) to overpower outside linebacker Aldon Smith (6-4, 258) with a nearly 100-pound size advantage. An underrated move was switching rookie Kelechi Osmele (6-5, 335) from right tackle next to McKinnie at left guard. The combination of McKinnie and Osmele, with some help from savvy center Matt Birk, should keep Smith and a banged-up Justin Smith (triceps) from disrupting plays in the backfield. The Ravens have had similar success running behind guard Marshal Yanda and tackle Michael Oher on the right side.

Running backs Ray Rice and Bernard Pierce will consistently be able to get to the second level, so it’s up to the sound tackling of inside linebackers NaVorro Bowman and Patrick Willis to limit the damage. There has been much focus on how the Niners can slow down Rice, but the rookie Pierce has been the more explosive back of late. If the pair can reel off long gains early, it will keep safety linebacker Donte Whitner at home in run support, giving the Ravens’ inside receivers better big-play opportunities downfield. If Baltimore stays committed to the run as it has with coordinator Jim Caldwell, it should have steady success. Advantage: Ravens

49ers running game vs. Ravens run defense

The 49ers are always committed to running the ball, but they will be in better position to succeed in the traditional manner with Frank Gore. Much has been made about how the Ravens will handle Colin Kaepernick on designed runs and scrambles from San Francisco’s diverse formations. But they are built well to contain him on the edges and disciplined enough to not get too far upfield. So it goes back to the basics of breaking down and bringing down the 6-4, 230-pound quarterback on initial contact. Look for the 49ers to rely more on Kaepernick’s strengths as a passer rather than force the issue with him as a runner.

As for Gore and the Niners’ other running backs, they will often be escorted by the athletic-mauling combination of left tackle Joe Staley (6-5, 315) and left guard Mike Iupati (6-5, 331). But they will have their hands full with a full-strength Haloti Ngata (6-4, 340) and Paul Kruger (6-4, 270 pounds), who is a load at linebacker on the same side. The 49ers will actually have more success on the other side with the unsung pair of right guard Alex Boone and right tackle Anthony Davis against end Arthur Jones and outside linebacker Terrell Suggs. It’s just not against the Ravens—overall, the 49ers’ offensive line has the run-blocking edge against every team in the NFL. Advantage: 49ers

Ravens passing game vs. 49ers pass defense

McKinnie will have some trouble with the speed of Aldon Smith, and outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks can give Oher similar problems. The 49ers don’t like to blitz often but need to mix in some disguised pressure from the back seven to keep Joe Flacco off track. When Flacco is off, he holds the ball too long looking for the big play. When the Niners bring extra men, he needs to make sure he gets the ball out quickly and take advantage of having Rice as his top checkdown.

The Ravens have done well to dictate the action in the playoffs by aggressively attacking downfield. Wide receivers Torrey Smith and Anquan Boldin are tough matchups for the Niners’ secondary (see Julio Jones and Roddy White). The Ravens can keep San Francisco’s coverage further off balance by interchanging four-wideout (with Tandon Doss and Jacoby Jones) and two-tight end (Dennis Pitta, Ed Dickson) looks. Flacco has been in sync with all his receivers, and it’s hard to envision him cooling down much on Sunday. Advantage: Ravens

49ers passing game vs. Ravens pass defense

Suggs and Ngata are getting healthier with each week and should be at their disruptive best on Sunday. Kaepernick will feel the rush from both sides, and he must remain cool like he has all season. It was important for him to establish a connection with tight end Vernon Davis in the NFC championship game, because Davis will be his best weapon against the Ravens. Inside linebacker Ray Lewis still is producing as a tackler against the run but is a coverage liability. Safeties Ed Reed and Bernard Pollard both hit hard, but keeping up with Davis will be difficult for them. The Ravens also could be hurt by Niners versatile backup tight end Delanie Walker.

Where the Ravens will roost is against the 49ers’ wide receivers. Cornerbacks Corey Graham and Cary Williams have excelled in their boundary coverage and also make many big plays on the ball. They both have the size to handle Michael Crabtree, and Randy Moss doesn’t pose a consistent enough deep threat.

The offenses had the upper hand in the other three areas, but with what the Ravens have on the edges of their defense—both up front and in the secondary—this is where the game tilts in their favor. Advantage: Ravens